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| Midterm Elections 2018: Closing Arguments in Florida, Wisconsin and Across the U.S. | Midterm Elections 2018: Closing Arguments in Florida, Wisconsin and Across the U.S. |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| New York Times journalists are reporting from around the country this weekend as candidates make their final pitches to the voters who will help shape the United States for the next two years. Follow along for updates from the campaign trail. | New York Times journalists are reporting from around the country this weekend as candidates make their final pitches to the voters who will help shape the United States for the next two years. Follow along for updates from the campaign trail. |
| • Just catching up? Read up on the five battlefields for control of the House. | • Just catching up? Read up on the five battlefields for control of the House. |
| President Trump may be crisscrossing the country in an intensive effort to keep Republicans in control of Congress, but he would like everyone to know that if that does not happen, it’s not his fault. | |
| At rallies and in public remarks, Mr. Trump is engaging in a subtle effort meant to absolve him of blame if Republicans lose the House, which his advisers are privately telling him is likely to happen. | |
| On Sunday, as he left the White House for rallies in Macon, Ga., and Chattanooga, Tenn., Mr. Trump told reporters he can’t campaign for all Republican House members because there are too many, but boasted that his involvement has made a “big difference” in as many as seven Senate campaigns. | |
| Mr. Trump predicted Republicans would do well in the House and “really well” in the Senate. He was similarly vague last week about his party’s prospects of keeping the House, reminding reporters what a heavy lift campaigning for House candidates could be. | |
| He argued that his raucous campaign events were the most effective way to boost Republicans, comparing the level of enthusiasm to that of his crowds in 2016. “These rallies are the best thing we’ve done,” he said, a clear implication that if Republicans lose, it’s not because he failed to make the effort to turn out his supporters. | |
| As for the rallies themselves, the president has been all over the map in his targets (which do include, usually, a few minutes talking up the actual candidates). | |
| Take the rally in Macon on Sunday afternoon, ostensibly held to support the Republican nominee for governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp. For one stretch, Mr. Trump veered into questioning why his own supporters, law-enforcement officials and immigration officers weren’t doing more to curtail Antifa protesters on the left. | |
| Mr. Trump first mocked members of Antifa as having “little arms” as he tried to entertain the crowd. He said they reach for weapons like clubs because of that. | |
| “Where are the Bikers for Trump? Where are the police? Where are the military? Where are ICE? Where are the border patrol?” | |
| He added, “These are bad people” who are causing problems. | |
| Mr. Trump has been increasing his incendiary language, even as his White House aides insist he has never done anything to provoke violence by his supporters. | |
| The remarks came just over a week after pipe bombs were mailed to several of Mr. Trump’s political targets and to CNN. The alleged bomber has been described as a devoted Trump supporter who attended his rallies. Mr. Trump has said he doesn’t have any responsibility for the alleged bomber’s actions, and he has declined to change his rhetoric. | |
| — By Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Maggie Haberman | |
| MIAMI — By the time Andrew Gillum arrived to the march bringing African-American voters to cast ballots early on Sunday, the Rev. Al Sharpton had already made his entrance. So had a parade of Miami elected officials and the local congresswoman, all jostling to be next to Mr. Gillum, or at least near him, at the front of the crowd. | MIAMI — By the time Andrew Gillum arrived to the march bringing African-American voters to cast ballots early on Sunday, the Rev. Al Sharpton had already made his entrance. So had a parade of Miami elected officials and the local congresswoman, all jostling to be next to Mr. Gillum, or at least near him, at the front of the crowd. |
| Such was the excitement for Mr. Gillum on the last day of early voting in Liberty City, the predominantly African-American neighborhood where the Academy Award-winning film “Moonlight” was made. So many cameras and onlookers hovered in front of the gathering that marchers had trouble advancing down the street. | Such was the excitement for Mr. Gillum on the last day of early voting in Liberty City, the predominantly African-American neighborhood where the Academy Award-winning film “Moonlight” was made. So many cameras and onlookers hovered in front of the gathering that marchers had trouble advancing down the street. |
| The leaders of the “souls to the polls” march linked arms. A pastor offered a prayer — for voters, so that they would make their selections with “conviction,” and for Mr. Gillum, a Democrat, so that he would be blessed: “Watch him.” | The leaders of the “souls to the polls” march linked arms. A pastor offered a prayer — for voters, so that they would make their selections with “conviction,” and for Mr. Gillum, a Democrat, so that he would be blessed: “Watch him.” |
| Off they want to the Joseph Caleb Center. Past a house where a little boy bounced up to watch the procession. Past a corner market where people walked out and cheered. | Off they want to the Joseph Caleb Center. Past a house where a little boy bounced up to watch the procession. Past a corner market where people walked out and cheered. |
| “We went and voted the first day. We wasn’t playing,” said Perditha Bethel, 63. “We made everybody go.” | “We went and voted the first day. We wasn’t playing,” said Perditha Bethel, 63. “We made everybody go.” |
| Mr. Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee who could become Florida’s first African-American governor, will need robust black turnout if he is to defeat his Republican opponent, former Representative Ron DeSantis, who is white. The Liberty City event was the first of three in South Florida aimed at getting African-Americans, Haitian-Americans and black Caribbean-Americans to vote. | Mr. Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee who could become Florida’s first African-American governor, will need robust black turnout if he is to defeat his Republican opponent, former Representative Ron DeSantis, who is white. The Liberty City event was the first of three in South Florida aimed at getting African-Americans, Haitian-Americans and black Caribbean-Americans to vote. |
| On Saturday, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said at an event for Mr. DeSantis in Lakeland that the governor’s race was “cotton-pickin’ important,” Politico reported, a reference seen by some of Mr. Gillum’s supporters as racist in a campaign where matters of race and identity have been at the forefront. | On Saturday, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said at an event for Mr. DeSantis in Lakeland that the governor’s race was “cotton-pickin’ important,” Politico reported, a reference seen by some of Mr. Gillum’s supporters as racist in a campaign where matters of race and identity have been at the forefront. |
| Asked about the remark on Sunday, Mr. Gillum said, with a hint of sarcasm, that he was “flattered” the DeSantis camp “had me top of mind.” | Asked about the remark on Sunday, Mr. Gillum said, with a hint of sarcasm, that he was “flattered” the DeSantis camp “had me top of mind.” |
| “He should go back to Georgia,” Mr. Gillum said of Mr. Perdue, the former Georgia governor. “We’re trying our very best to end this campaign on a high note.” | “He should go back to Georgia,” Mr. Gillum said of Mr. Perdue, the former Georgia governor. “We’re trying our very best to end this campaign on a high note.” |
| He then took the stage and cast a vote for him explicitly as a vote against President Trump. | He then took the stage and cast a vote for him explicitly as a vote against President Trump. |
| “He won’t be able to tweet his way out of it,” he said. “He won’t be able to insult his way out of it.” | “He won’t be able to tweet his way out of it,” he said. “He won’t be able to insult his way out of it.” |
| — Patricia Mazzei | — Patricia Mazzei |
| CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Eva Pfefferkorn sheepishly knocked on her first door. No answer. Then another. Same result. And another. And another. But the fifth house she visited finally saw someone answer. | CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Eva Pfefferkorn sheepishly knocked on her first door. No answer. Then another. Same result. And another. And another. But the fifth house she visited finally saw someone answer. |
| “Are you planning to vote for Leslie Cockburn?” asked Eva, a 17-year-old high school senior who was doing political canvassing for the first time. | “Are you planning to vote for Leslie Cockburn?” asked Eva, a 17-year-old high school senior who was doing political canvassing for the first time. |
| “One hundred percent!” said the man at door. His friendly response eased the nerves. | “One hundred percent!” said the man at door. His friendly response eased the nerves. |
| Eva, who was going door to door with her mother on Saturday, is one of thousands of volunteers newly engaged in the political process this cycle. Their grass-roots movement was spurred on by the onslaught of liberal activism that occurred in the wake of President Trump’s election, including high-profile mobilization efforts like the 2017 Women’s March and this year’s March For Our Lives. | Eva, who was going door to door with her mother on Saturday, is one of thousands of volunteers newly engaged in the political process this cycle. Their grass-roots movement was spurred on by the onslaught of liberal activism that occurred in the wake of President Trump’s election, including high-profile mobilization efforts like the 2017 Women’s March and this year’s March For Our Lives. |
| In Virginia, where Democrats are targeting three Republican-held House seats, dozens of volunteers from the group Swing Left descended on the city this weekend from Washington to supplement the campaigns’ last stretch. | In Virginia, where Democrats are targeting three Republican-held House seats, dozens of volunteers from the group Swing Left descended on the city this weekend from Washington to supplement the campaigns’ last stretch. |
| In the Fifth Congressional District, where Ms. Cockburn is running, there were also people like Eva, who said she wanted to get involved partly because of the violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville last year. | In the Fifth Congressional District, where Ms. Cockburn is running, there were also people like Eva, who said she wanted to get involved partly because of the violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville last year. |
| “A lot of the students in my high school became activists.” | “A lot of the students in my high school became activists.” |
| — Astead W. Herndon | — Astead W. Herndon |
| Senator Cory Booker has been one of the most traveled campaign surrogates in the country this year. But for the final two days of the midterm elections, the New Jersey Democrat returned home to stump for Senator Robert Menendez in a state that hasn’t been considered a Senate battleground since Richard Nixon was president. | |
| “Everywhere I go in the last days of this election, I’m preaching the gospel of Bob,” Mr. Booker said at a packed breakfast in Union County. | |
| For a race defined mostly by its nastiness — Mr. Menendez’s Republican opponent, Bob Hugin, has spent millions on negative ads, and Mr. Menendez, with help from the national party, has responded in kind — the focus for the two senators was less about the opponent on the ballot than the man in the White House. | |
| “We have two days to stop Trump,” Mr. Menendez bellowed to hundreds of supporters gathered along the waterfront Sinatra Park in Hoboken, adding, “We have no checks and balances on this administration and its worst proclivities. | |
| “We are New Jersey,” Mr. Booker said. “We cannot allow this state to send someone to Washington who is going to fall into lock step with a president who is attacking our state.” | |
| The two senators were focused on getting out the vote in the Democratic strongholds in New Jersey — Hudson, Bergen, Essex, Union and Passaic Counties, all clustered in the northeast — where Mr. Menendez faces a challenge. The districts are so solidly Democratic, without any real challenge for the House seats, that turnout typically dips in midterms, and Mr. Menendez needs every vote from the area. | |
| So the local Democratic machines have turned into a full-on arm of the Menendez effort. | |
| Representative Donald Payne Jr. joked at the Union County breakfast: “I’ve been working so hard for Senator Menendez that I forget that I am on the ballot, too.” | |
| — Nick Corasaniti | |
| “We have some role models out there, but we need to get them elected,” said Misa Roach, a volunteer working with Senator Tammy Baldwin’s re-election campaign in Wisconsin. | “We have some role models out there, but we need to get them elected,” said Misa Roach, a volunteer working with Senator Tammy Baldwin’s re-election campaign in Wisconsin. |
| She and Nadiyah Groves are two of 12 women Alyssa Schukar photographed around the country working behind the scenes on female-fronted campaigns. This year, more women than ever before filed to run for office at all levels of government. In congressional races, more women than ever won primaries. See and read more about what is driving the campaign workers and volunteers here. | She and Nadiyah Groves are two of 12 women Alyssa Schukar photographed around the country working behind the scenes on female-fronted campaigns. This year, more women than ever before filed to run for office at all levels of government. In congressional races, more women than ever won primaries. See and read more about what is driving the campaign workers and volunteers here. |
| SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — Two Republicans, at least, are closing the campaign with a focused message about the economy. | SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — Two Republicans, at least, are closing the campaign with a focused message about the economy. |
| In a rain-spattered Republican Party office, in a conservative-leaning county that hugs Lake Michigan, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Gov. Scott Walker made no mention of caravans or fake news or foreign invasions. | In a rain-spattered Republican Party office, in a conservative-leaning county that hugs Lake Michigan, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Gov. Scott Walker made no mention of caravans or fake news or foreign invasions. |
| Instead, they implored voters to validate the conservative economic policies that have prevailed here for most of a decade, and in Washington more recently. | Instead, they implored voters to validate the conservative economic policies that have prevailed here for most of a decade, and in Washington more recently. |
| “Two hundred and fifty thousand jobs were created in America in October alone,” Mr. Ryan proclaimed. “This is working!” | “Two hundred and fifty thousand jobs were created in America in October alone,” Mr. Ryan proclaimed. “This is working!” |
| Mr. Walker is in a close race for a third term against Tony Evers, a low-key Democrat who is Wisconsin’s superintendent of education. A figure as tenacious as he is polarizing, Mr. Walker’s greatest challenge may be persuading the state’s few undecided voters to swing his way. | Mr. Walker is in a close race for a third term against Tony Evers, a low-key Democrat who is Wisconsin’s superintendent of education. A figure as tenacious as he is polarizing, Mr. Walker’s greatest challenge may be persuading the state’s few undecided voters to swing his way. |
| Mr. Walker called his challenger a threat to Wisconsin’s economic rebound, insisting: “We cannot afford to turn back now.” | Mr. Walker called his challenger a threat to Wisconsin’s economic rebound, insisting: “We cannot afford to turn back now.” |
| But Trumpian rhetoric was not absent from the event. Representative Glenn Grothman, a hard-liner who is running for re-election against Dan Kohl, a Democrat from a prominent Wisconsin family, briefly took the stage to deliver a slashing attack on his challenger, complete with an allusion to “thousands of people in Mexico waiting to come to our country.” | But Trumpian rhetoric was not absent from the event. Representative Glenn Grothman, a hard-liner who is running for re-election against Dan Kohl, a Democrat from a prominent Wisconsin family, briefly took the stage to deliver a slashing attack on his challenger, complete with an allusion to “thousands of people in Mexico waiting to come to our country.” |
| Mr. Grothman has assailed Mr. Kohl insistently for his affiliation with J Street, a liberal group to which George Soros has contributed. He did so again on Sunday, branding Mr. Kohl “a partner with George Soros.” | Mr. Grothman has assailed Mr. Kohl insistently for his affiliation with J Street, a liberal group to which George Soros has contributed. He did so again on Sunday, branding Mr. Kohl “a partner with George Soros.” |
| — Alexander Burns | — Alexander Burns |
| CLEVELAND — Tracey Gibson came straight to vote after church, but she was too early. | CLEVELAND — Tracey Gibson came straight to vote after church, but she was too early. |
| When she arrived at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections here on Sunday morning, she was told the polls wouldn’t open until 1 p.m. So here she was again, standing at the back of the line just as the doors opened. | When she arrived at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections here on Sunday morning, she was told the polls wouldn’t open until 1 p.m. So here she was again, standing at the back of the line just as the doors opened. |
| “This is more important right now than the presidential,” said Ms. Gibson, 50, who is black. | “This is more important right now than the presidential,” said Ms. Gibson, 50, who is black. |
| The line inched forward. | The line inched forward. |
| When Democrats have done well in this bellwether state it is traditionally with a big turnout among nonwhite voters like Ms. Gibson in and around big cities like Cleveland. But while former President Barack Obama was uniquely successful in energizing black voters, Hillary Clinton’s loss here two years ago forced the party to examine whether it was doing enough to reach what had been such a crucial part of its coalition. | When Democrats have done well in this bellwether state it is traditionally with a big turnout among nonwhite voters like Ms. Gibson in and around big cities like Cleveland. But while former President Barack Obama was uniquely successful in energizing black voters, Hillary Clinton’s loss here two years ago forced the party to examine whether it was doing enough to reach what had been such a crucial part of its coalition. |
| Ahead of the midterm elections this year, Democrats have tried to do more. They have created an engagement program aimed at motivating minority voters. In September, Mr. Obama campaigned with Richard Cordray, the Democratic candidate for governor. On Sunday, the line of hundreds of mostly black voters wound its way around the block. | Ahead of the midterm elections this year, Democrats have tried to do more. They have created an engagement program aimed at motivating minority voters. In September, Mr. Obama campaigned with Richard Cordray, the Democratic candidate for governor. On Sunday, the line of hundreds of mostly black voters wound its way around the block. |
| Nonwhite voters “are responding to everything that’s coming out of the White House,” Kim Thomas, a small-business owner and a minority engagement consultant for the state Democratic Party, said on Sunday afternoon, observing the line from across the street. “What’s different now is we have decided to band together and make ourselves heard through our vote.” | |
| Among those waiting in line was Agnes Igodan, 33. She said she felt the country was more divided than ever and cited the incendiary rhetoric emanating from Washington. She planned to vote for Democrats even if she did not agree with some of the party’s positions on issues. | Among those waiting in line was Agnes Igodan, 33. She said she felt the country was more divided than ever and cited the incendiary rhetoric emanating from Washington. She planned to vote for Democrats even if she did not agree with some of the party’s positions on issues. |
| “It’s a scary time in America,” said Ms. Igodan, who is originally from Nigeria and is studying to be an immigration lawyer. “There’s more and more hate — it’s kind of scary.” | “It’s a scary time in America,” said Ms. Igodan, who is originally from Nigeria and is studying to be an immigration lawyer. “There’s more and more hate — it’s kind of scary.” |
| — Sydney Ember | — Sydney Ember |
| NEW YORK — Republicans criticized a “Saturday Night Live” star on Sunday after a “Weekend Update” joke poked fun at a Texas congressional candidate and former Navy SEAL who lost an eye after an explosion in Afghanistan. | NEW YORK — Republicans criticized a “Saturday Night Live” star on Sunday after a “Weekend Update” joke poked fun at a Texas congressional candidate and former Navy SEAL who lost an eye after an explosion in Afghanistan. |
| The comedian, Pete Davidson, showed an image of the candidate, Dan Crenshaw, who wears an eyepatch, and said, “You may be surprised to hear he’s a congressional candidate from Texas and not a hit man in a porno movie.” | The comedian, Pete Davidson, showed an image of the candidate, Dan Crenshaw, who wears an eyepatch, and said, “You may be surprised to hear he’s a congressional candidate from Texas and not a hit man in a porno movie.” |
| “I’m sorry, I know he lost his eye in war or whatever,” Mr. Davidson said. | “I’m sorry, I know he lost his eye in war or whatever,” Mr. Davidson said. |
| The backlash was immediate. The National Republican Congressional Committee referenced Mr. Davidson’s recent breakup with Ariana Grande in a statement saying, “Getting dumped by your pop star girlfriend is no excuse for lashing out at a decorated war hero who lost his eye serving his country.” | The backlash was immediate. The National Republican Congressional Committee referenced Mr. Davidson’s recent breakup with Ariana Grande in a statement saying, “Getting dumped by your pop star girlfriend is no excuse for lashing out at a decorated war hero who lost his eye serving his country.” |
| Representative Peter T. King, a New York Republican who was also mocked in the segment, tweeted that the segment was a “disgrace.” | Representative Peter T. King, a New York Republican who was also mocked in the segment, tweeted that the segment was a “disgrace.” |
| On Sunday afternoon, Mr. Crenshaw responded, also on Twitter: “I hope @nbcsnl recognizes that vets don’t deserve to see their wounds used as punch lines for bad jokes.” | On Sunday afternoon, Mr. Crenshaw responded, also on Twitter: “I hope @nbcsnl recognizes that vets don’t deserve to see their wounds used as punch lines for bad jokes.” |
| “Saturday Night Live” declined to comment. | “Saturday Night Live” declined to comment. |
| KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Kansas Democrats, long relegated to the political margins, see a chance for a breakthrough election on Tuesday. But converting that optimism into victory will require turning out supporters who have grown accustomed to losing. | KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Kansas Democrats, long relegated to the political margins, see a chance for a breakthrough election on Tuesday. But converting that optimism into victory will require turning out supporters who have grown accustomed to losing. |
| With that in mind, the Democrats seeking to flip the governorship and two of the state’s four House seats spent Saturday meeting voters on some of this red state’s bluest turf. | With that in mind, the Democrats seeking to flip the governorship and two of the state’s four House seats spent Saturday meeting voters on some of this red state’s bluest turf. |
| In Topeka, Paul Davis, a Democrat running for Congress in a district long held by Republicans, started the morning with supporters who were preparing to knock on the doors of union members. A few hours later, at a Pentecostal church hall in Kansas City, Laura Kelly, the Democratic nominee for governor, and Sharice Davids, who is running for Congress, went table to table shaking hands and posing for photos. | In Topeka, Paul Davis, a Democrat running for Congress in a district long held by Republicans, started the morning with supporters who were preparing to knock on the doors of union members. A few hours later, at a Pentecostal church hall in Kansas City, Laura Kelly, the Democratic nominee for governor, and Sharice Davids, who is running for Congress, went table to table shaking hands and posing for photos. |
| Ms. Kelly, a state senator, has polled nearly even with Secretary of State Kris W. Kobach, her Republican opponent. | Ms. Kelly, a state senator, has polled nearly even with Secretary of State Kris W. Kobach, her Republican opponent. |
| — Mitch Smith | — Mitch Smith |
| LAS VEGAS — Hundreds of union workers fanned out across the state of Nevada for one final canvassing push before Election Day, a crucial voter-turnout machine that Democrats hope will push them over the edge in the state’s closest races. | LAS VEGAS — Hundreds of union workers fanned out across the state of Nevada for one final canvassing push before Election Day, a crucial voter-turnout machine that Democrats hope will push them over the edge in the state’s closest races. |
| Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat, appeared at a rally at the IBEW Local 357 headquarters in east Las Vegas on Saturday. She posed for pictures with supporters and hugged several as she thanked them for supporting her in 2016. | Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat, appeared at a rally at the IBEW Local 357 headquarters in east Las Vegas on Saturday. She posed for pictures with supporters and hugged several as she thanked them for supporting her in 2016. |
| “That’s why we’re here. Because you guys helped me in 2016 and now we need to help Jacky, too,” she told one woman, referring to Jacky Rosen, the Democratic candidate for Senate. | “That’s why we’re here. Because you guys helped me in 2016 and now we need to help Jacky, too,” she told one woman, referring to Jacky Rosen, the Democratic candidate for Senate. |
| The AFL-CIO and other unions in Nevada, in particular the The Culinary Workers Union, have knocked on hundreds of thousands of doors this cycle on behalf of Ms. Rosen and other Democratic candidates in the state. An AFL-CIO spokesperson said they had focused their efforts heavily on reaching voters in Clark and Washoe Counties, knocking on doors, making phone calls and running Spanish-language ads. | The AFL-CIO and other unions in Nevada, in particular the The Culinary Workers Union, have knocked on hundreds of thousands of doors this cycle on behalf of Ms. Rosen and other Democratic candidates in the state. An AFL-CIO spokesperson said they had focused their efforts heavily on reaching voters in Clark and Washoe Counties, knocking on doors, making phone calls and running Spanish-language ads. |
| Representative Dina Titus, who also addressed the crowd, said she believes “a blue sweep” is going to help Democrats win control of the House of Representatives in Washington. | Representative Dina Titus, who also addressed the crowd, said she believes “a blue sweep” is going to help Democrats win control of the House of Representatives in Washington. |
| “Yeah, I’m a little beat. But I walk into this room, and I see all of you, and I think of all of the things you’ve done, and you just restore me. I tell you, you are family,” said Ms. Titus, who received a particularly warm welcome from the room. | “Yeah, I’m a little beat. But I walk into this room, and I see all of you, and I think of all of the things you’ve done, and you just restore me. I tell you, you are family,” said Ms. Titus, who received a particularly warm welcome from the room. |
| — Jose A. Del Real | — Jose A. Del Real |